What Is Peripheral Nerve Surgery?
Peripheral nerve surgery focuses on diagnosing and treating problems with the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These complex networks control sensation and movement in your arms, legs, hands, and feet.
When peripheral nerves become injured or compressed, they can cause debilitating pain, numbness, weakness, or even complete loss of function. Specialised surgical intervention can relieve pressure on compressed nerves, repair damaged nerve pathways, or reconstruct movement when nerves no longer function properly. Mr Simpson manages the full spectrum of upper and lower limb nerve pathology and and post-injury reconstructive options.
Upper Limb Nerve Disorders
Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries
Complex nerve injuries affecting the shoulder, arm, and hand, often following trauma such as motor vehicle accidents. These injuries can cause significant disability and require expert assessment and reconstructive procedures.
Birth-Related Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb's Palsy)
Nerve injuries occurring during childbirth that may limit a child's arm movement and function. These conditions often require careful timing of nerve reconstruction or tendon transfer procedures for optimal outcomes.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Compression of nerves and sometimes blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm. This complex condition often requires a combination of surgical decompression and physical therapy.
Wrist Drop (Radial Nerve Palsy)
Radial nerve injury causes inability to extend the wrist and fingers, often resulting from trauma, compression (like 'Saturday night palsy'), or surgical complications. This significantly impacts hand function and grip strength, but can often be treated with nerve repair or tendon transfers.
Upper Limb Compression Syndromes
Early diagnosis and intervention for compression syndromes can prevent permanent nerve damage and restore hand function.
Pectoralis Minor Syndrome
A lesser-known cause of nerve compression affecting the shoulder and upper chest. This condition can mimic other disorders but responds well to targeted surgical release.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing numbness and tingling in the hand. This common condition often affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and can significantly impact daily activities.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, often resulting in numbness in the ring and little fingers. This condition can cause hand weakness and may require surgical decompression or nerve transposition.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Pain and weakness from compression of the radial nerve in the forearm. This condition can cause difficulty with wrist and finger extension and is often misdiagnosed as tennis elbow.
Lower Limb Nerve Disorders
Foot Drop (Common Peroneal Nerve Injury)
Weakness in lifting the foot, often due to nerve compression or injury at the knee. This condition causes a characteristic slapping gait and increases fall risk, but can be addressed with timely surgical intervention.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Similar to carpal tunnel, but affecting the tibial nerve near the ankle. This syndrome causes pain, numbness and tingling in the sole of the foot and can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
Femoral Nerve Injury
This condition impairs the ability to straighten the knee and can cause numbness or weakness in the front of the thigh and inner lower leg. It often results from trauma, compression during surgery (especially hip procedures), or pelvic fractures, significantly impacting walking and standing stability.
Sciatic Nerve Injury
Injury to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, typically results in pain that radiates from the buttock down the leg. It can lead to significant weakness in the hamstrings and lower leg, along with numbness, often due to direct trauma, prolonged compression, or hip surgery, severely affecting gait and daily activities.
Lumbosacral Plexus Injuries
Injuries to the lumbosacral plexus, a network of nerves in the abdomen and pelvis, can result in widespread weakness, sensory loss, and pain across the entire lower limb. These complex injuries often stem from severe trauma, pelvic fractures, or complications during surgery, profoundly affecting a person's ability to walk and control leg movements.
Nerve Tumours and Reconstructive Procedures
Nerve Sheath Tumours
Benign or malignant growths on nerves (e.g. schwannomas, neurofibromas) requiring precise surgical removal. These tumours can cause pain, weakness, or numbness and require specialised techniques to preserve nerve function during removal.
Reconstruction Following Nerve Injury
For cases where nerve recovery is incomplete, Mr Simpson performs various reconstructive procedures to restore function:
Tendon Transfers
Redirecting functioning tendons to replace the action of paralysed muscles, restoring movement to affected limbs.
Osteotomies
Precise bone realignment procedures to improve limb position and function when nerve recovery is limited.
Joint Fusion
Strategic stabilisation of joints to improve function and reduce pain in cases of severe nerve damage.
Surgical Solutions for Nerve Conditions
Depending on your condition, Mr Simpson offers a range of sophisticated surgical solutions:
Nerve decompression to relieve pressure on compressed nerves
Direct nerve repair or grafting to restore continuity
Nerve transfers to restore function using nearby functioning nerves
Soft tissue and bony reconstruction to optimise limb position and function
Early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery outcomes for many nerve conditions.
His goal is always to restore function, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life through the most appropriate and effective surgical intervention for your specific condition.
When to See a Nerve Specialist
Persistent Numbness
Ongoing numbness or tingling in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes that doesn't resolve, especially if it affects specific areas.
Unexplained Weakness
Difficulty gripping objects, frequent dropping of items, foot drop, or other specific muscle weaknesses.
Nerve Pain
Sharp, shooting, or burning pain along a specific path, especially following trauma or during repetitive activities.
Early diagnosis and timely surgery can significantly improve recovery outcomes for many nerve conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don't delay seeking specialist assessment.
Referrals can be made through your GP or directly by contacting my practice for self-referral options. I work closely with referring clinicians to ensure seamless care coordination.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
Living with nerve pain, numbness, or weakness can significantly impact your quality of life. Whether you're struggling with a recent injury or have been dealing with symptoms for years, specialised care can make a difference.
My practice offers comprehensive assessment, clear explanations of your condition, and advanced surgical solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Get in Touch Today
To schedule a consultation or learn more about peripheral nerve surgery options, please contact my office. I welcome referrals from GPs, specialists, and self-referring patients seeking expert nerve care.
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